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Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Theme: Daniel was taken captive and deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. In the succeeding 60 years he served in the governments of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. The book of Daniel shows that God is sovereign and is never caught by surprise. He knows the end from the beginning. Daniel 1 __4-4_He wanted intelligent youth without defect, that showed evidence of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, who would make good candidates to serve in the king's court. He ordered that they be taught literature and the language of the Chaldeans.
__5-7_The king arranged for them to have the best food and wine from his table and three years of education after which they would begin to serve the king. Among these youths were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Their commander gave them new names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
__8-10_Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself by eating the king's food or drinking his wine. So he asked permission to refrain from using either. God caused the commander to grant Daniel's request with favor even though he was concerned that he might suffer if Daniel and his companions looked poorly as a result.
__11-15_Daniel and his three companions asked for a ten day trial period after which they be compared with the other young men. They asked to be allowed to eat vegetables and drink water. If all went well this could be continued. And at the end of ten days their appearance was indeed much better than the other youths.
__16-18_Their overseer continued giving them vegetables and water and none of the king's choice food or wine. God gave these four youths knowledge and intelligence in literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams. When their course of study was complete Nebuchadnezzar examined them.
__19-21_As the king talked with them he found that of all the students, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, stood above the rest. So they were entered into the kings personal service. The examination showed them to be ten times better then all the realm's wise men. Daniel would continue working in the government until Cyrus.
Daniel 2 __5-7_The king replied, what I want is very simple. If you do not tell me what I dreamed I'll have your torn limb from limb and your houses will be destroyed. On the other hand, if you tell me my dream and its interpretation, you shall have reward and great honor. Now tell me what I have asked for.
__8-12_He said to them, I know that you are bargaining for time because you know that your fate is certain if you do not make the dream known to me. The wise men said, no man on earth can do what you ask. Only the gods can know such things. This made the king furious and he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
__13-16_So the decree went out. They came for Daniel and his friends to kill them. Daniel spoke respectfully to Arioch, the king's commander, asking him to explain the reason for the king's command. He received permission to ask the king to give him time in order that he might give the king the interpretation.
__17-19_Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends, Hananiah, Michael and Azariah, about this matter. They prayed to God for compassion that they might not be destroyed with the other wise men. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
__20-23_He said, let the name of God be praised forever. Wisdom and power are His. He is in charge of times and epochs. He decides who will be king. He dispenses wisdom and reveals profound and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness because light dwells with Him. I give thanks to you, O God, for revealing this matter to me.
__24-26_Then Daniel went to Arioch and said, do not destroy the wise men of Babylon. I will give the king the interpretation of his dream. Arioch quickly brought Daniel into the king's presence claiming to have found someone to interpret his dream. The king asked Daniel, are you able to give the dream and its interpretation?
__27-28_Daniel answered by saying that no wise man would be able to do this. But there is a God in heaven Who reveals mysteries and He has chosen to show the king what will happen in the latter days. Here is the dream which He gave you while you slept on your bed.
__29-30_When you went to bed, O king, you were wondering what the future held. The One who reveals mysteries has shown you what will take place. I did not learn of this because of my own wisdom, but so that you may have your question answered about the future.
__31-34_As you watched you saw a large and beautiful statue. Its head was of gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were bronze and its legs were made of iron. Its feet were partly iron and partly clay. As you watched, a large stone cut out without hands fell on its feet and crushed the image.
__35-36_The iron and clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold became like chaff at threshing time when the wind blows it away without leaving a trace. And the stone became a great mountain that filled the whole earth. This was your dream and here is what it means.
__37-39_You, O king, are the King of kings to whom God has given this kingdom. Your power, strength and glory. It all comes from Him. You are the head of gold. After you will come another kingdom that is inferior to you. That kingdom will be followed by a third kingdom of bronze which will rule over all the earth.
__40-42_Then will come a fourth kingdom as strong as iron. It will crush and shatter, breaking the others in pieces. You recall that the feet and toes are partly clay and partly iron. So this iron kingdom will be divided into parts, some strong and some weak and brittle.
__43-44_The kingdoms that came from the iron kingdom will try to combine their strength through intermarriage but they will not endure together. In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will not be destroyed, or taken over by another kingdom. This kingdom of the God of heaven will endure forever.
__45-47_The great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future. This dream is from Him and you can trust the interpretation. Then Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and treated Daniel like a god, saying, surely your God is a God of gods able to reveal any mystery since He has revealed this one.
__48-49_Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many gifts. He made him ruler over the province of Babylon and put him in charge of the wise men. Daniel asked that Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego be appointed to administrative positions in the province. But Daniel remained in the king's court.
Daniel 3 __4-5_The herald loudly proclaimed, to the people of every nation and language, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.
__4-5_You are to bow down when you hear the horn, the lyre, the trigon, the psaltery, the bagpipe and all kinds of instruments.
__6-7_Whoever does not fall down and worship the image will be cast into the fiery furnace. So the music was played and all the people from every nation fell down and worshipped the image.
__8-12_Then some Chaldeans brought charges against the Jews. They told Nebuchadnezzar that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, who had been appointed to positions of administration in Babylon, had not fallen down and worshipped the image when the music was played.
__13-15_Nebuchadnezzar was enraged and ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego to be brought before him. He asked them if the accusations were true? He said he would give them another chance to worship the image when the music played. Otherwise they would be thrown into the furnace. And, he asked, what God can deliver you from that?
__16-19_Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego answered him saying, we do not need a second chance. If our God wants to deliver us, He will. If He does not save us, we still will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Nebuchadnezzar became very angry and ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual.
__20-22_Filled with wrath toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, Nebuchadnezzar waited for the furnace to get hotter while he had them bound. Then he had them cast into the furnace by very strong soldiers. The fire was so hot it killed these soldiers.
__23-25_And Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fell into the midst of the blazing fire having been tightly bound. Nebuchadnezzar was astounded to see more than three men in the furnace. Look, he said. There are four men walking in the fire, and without harm. The fourth looks like the son of the gods.
__26-27_Then Nebuchadnezzar came near the door of the blazing furnace and said, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out of the fire. Everyone stood around marveling. The ropes had burned off but no part of them had even the smell of fire.
__28-30_Nebuchadnezzar said, blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. He has sent His angel to protect His servants who put their trust in Him. They would not serve any but their own God. Therefore I make a decree that no one is to say anything offensive against their God. And he made them to prosper in Babylon.
Daniel 4 __7-12_The wise men could not give the interpretation. Finally, Daniel who is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my God, came to me. I related the dream to him. I looked and saw a very great tree in the midst of the earth and visible to all. It provided food and shelter for all the birds and beasts.
__13-15_As I watched an angelic watcher descended from heaven and gave the command to chop the tree down, strip its foliage and scatter its fruit. But the stump was to remain with its roots and an iron and bronze band placed around it. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him share the grass with the beasts.
__16-18_Let his mind be changed from that of a man to that of a beast. Let seven time periods pass over him. This command comes from the Holy Ones in order that the Most High may be shown to be ruler over mankind. He bestows rulership on whomever He wishes. This is the dream that I had, Belteshazzar. Tell me its meaning.
__19-24_Daniel was appalled. The king told him to make the dream known, whatever its interpretation. Daniel replied, may the dream only apply to those who hate you. The tree that you saw in all its magnificence is you, O king. Your majesty has become exceedingly great and the Most High has made a decree concerning you.
__25_You will be driven from among men and dwell with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like the cattle. The dew will drench you for seven years until you recognize that the Most High rules over all mankind and bestows power on whomever He will.
__26-27_The command to leave the stump with the roots is a sign that your kingdom will be kept for you until you recognize that it is Heaven that rules. Therefore, O king, may my advice seem good to you. Break off from your sins. Do righteousness and show mercy to the poor so that your prosperity may be prolonged.
__28-31_Twelve months after this dream, Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the palace roof reflecting on the glory of his kingdom, his power and majesty. While these thoughts were in his head he heard a voice from heaven, saying, King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it has been declared, your sovereignty has been removed from you.
__32_You will be driven away from mankind and you will live with the beasts. You will eat grass and seven time periods will pass over you until your recognize that the Most High rules over mankind and gives it to whomever He wishes.
__33_Immediately these words were fulfilled and he was driven away from mankind to live among the beasts of the field. His body was drenched with dew, his hair grew out like eagles feathers and his nails became like bird's claws.
__34-36_At the end of that period I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven and my reason returned to me. I blessed the Most High. I praised and honored Him who lives forever. He does according to His will. No one can stop Him or ask Him why He does what He does. My majesty and splendor were restored to me and my counselors sought my advice.
__37_Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
Daniel 5 __5-7_Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand were seen writing on the plastered wall where the lampstand shown on it. As the king watched the hand, his face grew pale, his hips wobbled and his knees knocked together. He called for his wise men to read and explain the inscription, promising gifts and authority.
__8-11_None of the wise men could read the inscription and King Belshazzar became greatly alarmed. The queen, hearing of what was happening, entered the banquet hall and said, O king, live forever. Do not be alarmed. There is a man in the kingdom with insight and wisdom like the gods. Your father made him chief of the magicians.
__12-16_He possesses an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight. His name is Daniel. Call him and he will explain the writing. Then Daniel was brought before the king and told that no one had been able to read or interpret the writing. If he could read and interpret the writing he would be given gifts and great honor.
__17-21_Daniel said, keep your gifts for someone else. I will read the inscription. O king, the Most High God granted glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. When his heart was lifted up and he became proud, he was driven from his throne and made to live like a beast until he recognized that the Most High God reigns.
__22-23_Yet you, his son, have not humbled your heart even though you knew all this. You have exalted yourself against the LORD of heaven by bringing the vessels of His house to drink from: you, your nobles, your wives and concubines. You have praised the gods of metal, wood and stone, but not the God Who gives you breath.
__24-28_The hand was sent from Him and the inscription written says, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. This is the interpretation: Mene: God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. Tekel: you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. Peres: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
__29-31_Then Belshazzar gave orders for Daniel to be clothed in purple, given a gold necklace and proclaimed as the third ruler in the kingdom. That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.
Daniel 6 __4-6_The commissioners and the governors began to look for a way to discredit Daniel but could find no evidence of corruption or negligence on his part. They decided that their only hope was to find something against him in regard to the law of his God. They came up with an idea and went to Darius. They came to Darius and said, O King Darius, live forever.
__7-9_All of the commissioners and governors have consulted together and agree that for the next thirty days any man who makes a petition to any god or man, besides you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions. Now, O king, sign this document and it will become law.
__10_When Daniel realized that the document had been signed into law, he entered his house and into to the chamber on the roof which had a window that opened toward Jerusalem. It was his habit to kneel and pray, giving thanks before God, three times a day. He now continued to do this in spite of the law.
__11-12_The men responsible for the law watched Daniel petitioning his God. They then approached the king and asked him if he had signed a law saying no one was to make a petition to anyone except him for thirty days? The king said, yes, the statement is true, and according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, it cannot be revoked.
__13-15_They then answered him, saying, Daniel, an exile from Judah, has disregarded this law and continues petitioning his God three times a day. When the king heard these words he was deeply troubled and tried to think of a way to keep from having Daniel thrown to the lions. But these men pointed out that the law could not be changed.
__16-18_So the king gave orders to bring Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. And he spoke to Daniel, saying, your God, Whom you constantly serve, will deliver you. After Daniel had been placed in the lion's den, a stone was laid over the mouth of the den and the king went to his palace without any entertainment and spent a sleepless night of fasting.
__19-22_At first light the king went quickly to the lion's den and called out to Daniel. O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, Whom you serve constantly, been able to deliver you from the lions? And Daniel answered, O king, live forever. My God sent His angels and shut the lion's mouths, for I have committed no crime.
__23-24_This pleased the king. He then gave orders for Daniel to be taken out of the den. No injury was found on him because he had trusted his God. The king then gave orders that those men who had accused Daniel be brought with their families and cast into the lion's den. Before they reached the bottom the lions were crushing their bones.
__25-27_Then Darius the king wrote a proclamation to the people of every nation. It said: may peace abound. Everyone is to fear the God of Daniel. He is the living God and His kingdom endures forever. He delivers and rescues, performing signs and wonders in heaven and earth. He has delivered Daniel from the lions.
__28_So Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 7 As I looked in my night vision, I saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different, came up out of the sea.
__4-5_The first beast was a lion that had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were plucked off and it stood up like a man and could think like a man. Then a second beast resembling a bear appeared. It was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth. It was told to arise and devour much meat.
__6-7_After this as I watched a leopard like beast appeared with four wings of a bird. It had four heads. Dominion was given to it. As I continued to watch in my night vision I saw a fourth beast that was terrifying and strong. It had large iron teeth and it crushed, devoured and trampled with it feet. It had ten horns.
__8-9_While I observed its horns, another little horn came up among the other horns and pulled out three other horns by the roots. This little horn had eyes like a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. I kept watching until thrones were set up and the Ancient of Days took His seat. He was dressed in white and His throne burned with fire.
__10-12_A river of fire came out before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him. The court was seated and the books were opened. I kept watching because of the boastful words of the little horn. I watched until the beast with the horns was slain and its body burned with fire. The rest of the beasts were granted a little time.
__13-14_As I watched in the night vision I saw the clouds of heaven and One like the Son of Man as He came before the Ancient of Days. He was given dominion, glory and a kingdom that all peoples should serve Him. His dominion is everlasting. His kingdom will not be destroyed.
__15-18_I Daniel was alarmed as I considered the vision. I approached one of those standing near me and asked for an explanation. So he gave me the interpretation. The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom which will last forever.
__19-20_Then I wanted to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast because it was different from all the other beasts. It was stronger and more cruel. And I wished to know the meaning of the ten horns and the other little horn with eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts.
__21-22_I kept looking as the little horn waged war with the saints and overpowered them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One. Then the time came for the saints to take possession of the kingdom.
__23-24_He explained that the fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will be different from the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise. The little horn will come up later and subdue three of the kings.
__25-26_He will speak out against the Most High and wear down His saints. The little horn power will try to alter times and laws. He will have control for three and one half times. After that the court will sit in judgment and his dominion will be taken away. He will be annihilated and destroyed forever.
__27-28_Then the sovereignty, dominion and greatness of every kingdom on earth will be given to the saints of the Highest One. His kingdom will last forever and all will obey Him. At this point the revelation ended and I Daniel, was very perplexed. I grew pale and kept the matter to myself.
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